The summer weather in Florida can be hot. It also rains almost every afternoon. If you are looking for a great way to beat the heat or the thunderstorms, check out this list of the best museums in Destin Florida. Whether you are a history buff, an art enthusiast, or want to learn something new, a great museum is a must see when visiting Destin, Florida.
Destin History And Fishing Museum
Location: 108 Stahlman Avenue, Destin, FL 32541
Known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village”, Destin, Florida’s History and Fishing Museum is a must see. Thise 5,500 square foot museum houses exhibits on the history of the local fishing industry. Learn about local Native Americans catching fish with nets, spears, or arrows in the Choctawhatchee Bay. Delve into the history of Captain Leonard Destin who began a version of commercial fishing in 1845.
The museum includes a replica of an early 1900s Destin fisherman’s kitchen complete with the oil lamps, washboards, and brooms made out of natural palmetto palms. Check out the black and white photos of the founding families of Destin, local scenery from 100 years ago, as well as some of the most famous Destin fishermen.
One of the highlights of this museum is the display of almost 100 mounted fish caught in the Gulf and bay of Destin. The mounted fish include a Hammerhead Shark with a suntan! In addition, you may view giant fishing lures along with a collection of antique rods and reels to include one used by Ernest Hemingway in the 1920swhen Destin was declared “The Billfish Capital of the Gulf.”
Kids will enjoy small hands-on displays, a scavenger hunt, as well as a theater room. Here you can view a feature film on Destin’s heritage as a small fishing village.
In the outdoor Historic Park Complex you can view a display of “The Primrose”, a Seine fishing boat which used large weighted nets in the back of the ship to herd fish by encircling large schools. Check out “Little Jimmy” constructed in 1925.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am till 4 pm. Visitors may go on a self-guided tour, use wireless headphones for a narrative, or have a group guide.
Air Force Armament Museum
Location: 100 Museum Drive, Eglin Air Force Base, FL 32542
Are you a history buff? One of the best museums in Destin Florida is the Air Force Armament Museum. This is the nation’s only museum dedicated to preserving and displaying artifacts that tell the story of Air Force weaponry. A hit for military veterans and families, check out the impressive collection of over thirty aircraft used in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq. In addition you can view hundreds of armaments.
Come view the world’s fastest plane and a massive gun collection. Various bombs are also displayed to include the “Mother of All Bombs” (MOAB) Bunker Buster missile. Many of the weapons were developed at nearby Eglin Air Force Base ― the largest Air Force base in the world.
The different aircraft on display include the AC-130, B-17, B-52, P-51, A-10, F-15, F-16, F-100 and F-101. A thirty-minute film about Eglin Airforce Base is shown throughout the day.
The highlight for your kids will be the flight simulator. Do no miss the ill also gun vault where you will learn about modern weapons systems.
The museum is free and open to the public year-round.
Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum
Location: 127 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
The Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum was the first school build in 1911 in Camp Walton, now known as Fort Walton Beach. Made out of native pine and oak, the school opened in 1912 with only one room. Later a second room for higher grade students was added. This historic two-room schoolhouse depicts the early history of Camp Walton’s education system from 1911 through the 1930s.
Originally located on Highway 98, the Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum was relocated to Heritage Park in January 2006. Heritage Park includes this museum as well as the Indian Temple Mound Museum, the Fort Walton Temple Mound, and the Garnier Post Office Museum.
Indian Temple Mound Museum In Destin Fl
Location: 139 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Another one of the best museums in Destin Florida is the Indian Temple Mound Museum. This museum focuses on Native American culture and exhibition of artifacts with a collection of over 1400 items of early Southeastern Native American pottery, Civil War artifacts, and brigantine leather armor which was worn by Spanish settlers,
Make sure to see the burial mound erected by the Pensacola culture Indians who resided here in 800 AD.
While visiting this museum check out the other amazing sites within the Heritage Park and Cultural center to include the Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum, the Garnier Post Office Museum, the Fort Walton Temple Mound, and the Civil War Exhibit Building.
Garnier Post Office Museum
Location: 127 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548.
The Garnier Post Office Museum “interprets items from the early postal era covering the years 1918 to 1956”.
Travel back in time to learn the history of Destin post office. How did mail originally make it from one location to another? Discover how small rural post offices such as the Garnier Post Office were phased out when the mail was delivered to homes by postal carriers.
Civil War Exhibit Building
Location: 127 Miracle Strip Parkway SE in Fort Walton Beach
Another part of the City of Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park and Cultural Center, the Civil War Exhibit Building was built behind the Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum in 2010.
Explore the importance of the Battle of Santa Rosa Sound, Western Theater, the Florida Brigade, Olustee monument, Walton Guards, and Camp Walton. Marvel at the three flags flown by the Confederacy during the U.S. Civil War as well as a large diorama depicting a typical campsite for a soldier stationed in Florida’s Panhandle during the war.
Emerald Coast Science Center
Location: 31 SW Memorial Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
One of the best museums in Destin Florida for kids is the Emerald Coast Science Center. This interactive museum highlights science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM).
Plan on several hours in order to experience everything at the Emerald Coast Science Center.
Explore exhibits on birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Meet Monica the citron cockatoo, named after Monica Turner a British ornithologist and Marie and Pierre the sugar gliders, named after chemists Marie and Pierre Curie.
Participate in activities focusing on the climate, weather, local terrain, and wildlife. The highlight is the augmented reality sandbox where guests can craft their own virtual watershed models and conduct experiments.
Wear the kids out in the SMALLab. This area uses cameras to track your body’s movements. Solve puzzles and play games using a room size interactive screen. Make sure to visit their website to determine the SMALLab hours.
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Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida
Location: 115 Westview Ave, Valparaiso, FL 32580
Located outside of Destin in Valparaiso, The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida’s mission is to preserve, collect, and study historical artifacts pertaining to the Florida Panhandle’s heritage.
Check out their themed events such as the Mardi Gras Golf Scramble, Haunted Heritage Mini Museum, Summer camp for the kids, and even a Madhatter Tea. They also have unique interpretive exhibits and educational programs that highlight early economic activities, tourism, and military history.
Man in the Sea Museum
Location: 17314 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panana City Beach
One of the best museums to see when visiting Destin Florida is the Man in the Sea Museum. Unfortunately, this museum is located an hour outside of Destin in Panama City Beach, however you should add it to your travel itinerary. The Man in the Sea Museum is dedicated to undersea exploration, submarines, diver suits, and deep water lab facilities.
The museum houses 5,000 square feet of artifacts recovered from sunken ships dating back to 1500 AD. Some of the many museum exhibits include a US Navy SEALAB I, the first underwater living facility developed in 1964.
Other notable exhibits include the US Navy Deep Dive System Mark I, a model of SEALAB III launched in 1969, as well as an armored suit developed in 1913 for underwater dives down 400 feet.
The Zoo Gallery
Location: 500 Grand Blvd #104, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
If you love art, The Zoo Gallery is one of the best museums in Destin Florida to add to your travel agenda. A museum of handcrafted furniture and artisanal jewelry as well as a boutique, the Zoo Gallery features work by local artists and designers from across the country.
Founded by Chris and Roxie Wilson, The Zoo Gallery is chock full of mirrors, furniture, paintings, lights, and clothing in bright colors and designs made from various mediums. Purchase candles, hygiene goods, cards, soap wallets, T-shirts, and books as the perfect Destin souvenir.
In Summary
Destin Florida is one of the best beach vacation towns in Florida. If you get tired of the powder white sand beaches, fun in the sun, and want to explore some of the history of the area, add one of these museums to your travel itinerary.
Which of these local museums in Destin Florida will you visit first? I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a comment!
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/424393964897937218/About the Author:
Hi! I’m Chris. I’m a mother, wife, college professor by trade and micro-influencer by hobby. I am a bargain hunter, jack of all trades, and master of chaos.
Thank you for reading my random thoughts on travel, my stories of life as an under appreciated mother of a teenager, and my easy recipes that have won no awards but instead my family’s love and adoration (which is WAY better, right?).
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